Cornwall is a fantastic place to visit, there’s no doubt about it. It’s a unique county: filled with beautiful beaches and coastal walks; quaint seaside towns with cobbled streets; and countless cafés and restaurants showcasing fresh local produce. There’s no wonder Cornwall is flooded every summer with holidaymakers and explorers looking to discover all it has to offer. As a local, I think Cornwall’s best kept secret is the joy which can be had from visiting in the quieter months. Everyone else is visiting in the summer: read on to find out my top 10 reasons why you should choose to come to Cornwall out of season instead.
First of all, what do I mean by “out of season”?
The main holiday season in Cornwall is generally tied to the school holidays, with the county peaking at its busiest during the Easter weeks and from mid-July through to the end of August. Whilst it could be argued that the main holiday season actually runs from Easter to October, for the purpose of this blog post, “out of season” refers to any time outside of the main summer months (and school holidays). Think September to May and exclude half terms and Easter!
With that cleared up, let’s get into why you should visit then…
1. It’s quieter for exploring
This is perhaps the most obvious reason, but I also think it’s the most persuasive. If you’ve ever tried to walk along the harbourfront in summery St Ives, you’ll know it’s a hubbub of people packed in tightly and that walking against the tide of tourists is near impossible. Cornwall’s quaint cobbled and narrow streets, whilst beautiful, weren’t built for the sheer quantity of visitors that come in summer! Navigating Cornwall’s villages, finding space for your towel on the beach and exploring top attractions such as the Tate St Ives or the Eden Project can become overwhelming when the county’s at its busiest.
By visiting Cornwall out of season, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy sightseeing at a more leisurely pace. You can take your time, take better photos and walk wherever you like (instead of being dragged with the current of the crowd). It’s a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience.
2. Less wait times for restaurants and takeaway food
In the summer, every man and his dog can be found queuing outside the pasty shops and ice-cream hatches waiting to be served. Whilst these establishments are still busy outside of the summer months, the queues are noticeably shorter and quicker.
Cornwall is also home to countless fantastic restaurants. By visiting out of season, you’re much more likely to be able to book the restaurant you want, at a reasonable time and not face such crazy long wait times, too.
3. Much easier parking (and quieter roads)
If you’ve attempted to park in St Ives during the summer holidays, you’ll know how difficult finding a space can be (unless you arrive at the crack of dawn)! The thing with St Ives specifically is that once people have arrived for their holiday and parked up, they will often not move their car for the duration of their stay since St Ives has everything you could possibly want in one place: beaches, restaurants, shops, the list goes on.
Many Cornish towns are the same in July and August – making parking a nightmare. For this reason, I recommend travelling out of season as there tends to be fewer cars around. If you’ve already booked for the summer, I suggest using public transport where possible, as it takes away the stress of the busy summer roads and car parks, and is also WAY better for the environment.
4. More choice of dog-friendly beaches
Many of Cornwall’s stunning beaches see dog bans enforced during the high season of July and August. However, this changes out of season when many restrictions are lifted.
Cornish beaches are a dog’s paradise. Your four-legged friend will love to run across the uninterrupted golden sand and splash about in the sea. You get the beach (mostly) to yourself outside of the summer season so your furry friends will definitely thank you for choosing to visit then. They’ll also love the copious walking trails offered by the South West Coast Path which runs around the whole county and offers fantastic days out come rain or shine. The coast path takes you to some of the most beautiful beaches and viewpoints. Plus, with many a café dotted along the way, you can stop for a quick refreshment or bite to eat when you need. Looking for inspiration? Read my recent post all about the St Agnes Head coastal walk.
You can find more information on beaches’ dog restrictions via the Cornwall Council website.
5. More affordable accommodation
It’s widely known that, wherever you’re going, if you travel outside of school holidays you’ll typically be able to achieve cheaper rates for accommodation. Cornwall is no different. Having worked in the local tourism industry, I have seen the trend of accommodation rates being reasonable in low season and then rising for July and August as demand shoots through the roof. Of course, that’s not to say this is the case for ALL providers, but it’s a general trend for many.
You can also find good value last-minute bookings when holiday companies have cancellations or last-minute availability to fill. Finding an out of season bargain can make your visit to Cornwall even more affordable. These days, we’re all looking for ways to save money, and this is a great way to do so without missing out on your holiday entirely!
6. The weather is just as glorious
The weather in Cornwall tends to be just as good in the shoulder seasons of May and September as during the height of summer. In these months, we typically get lovely warm, sunny days. But even when it’s not…
7. Cornish rainy days are the cosiest
I won’t lie – Cornwall gets its fair share of rainy days, too. But even when rain strikes, it’s a great place to be. With so many seaside cafés, you can enjoy watching the sea thrash against harbour walls, throwing up salt spray, whilst cosied up by a fire with a hot chocolate. Pure bliss. Whilst beaches in the summer take some beating, watching the Cornish seas battle in the winter is truly something to behold.
Even in the muggy Cornish mizzle (a mixture between mist and drizzle), there are plenty of indoor activities to keep you entertained. Looking for some inspiration? Cornwall365 offer a great What’s On guide on their website and social media platforms, advertising upcoming events. Tripadvisor is another trusty source for finding attractions in the area you’re visiting.
When the weather’s wild and windy, I love to park by the beach and watch people kitesurf or windsurf. Marazion Beach is particularly well-known as being a great location for this in West Cornwall. This brings us on to…
8. You can still get involved with sea sports (they never stop)
In the depths of the Cornish off-season, whether the sea is rough or not, it’s definitely quieter with less swimmers braving the water, meaning it’s safer and easier for other sports to go ahead. Locals still love to get out in the sea and surf, kayak and SUP on calm days. On wilder days, the seas are an amazing place for kitesurfing or windsurfing.
9. The scenery is beautiful
Travelling to Cornwall in the summer months is obviously lovely. With the sun shining down onto the beaches, blue sparkling sea against golden sand, there’s no doubt beautiful sights to see. However, I find the scenery just as impressive out of season.
In March and April, the daffodils, bluebells, and gorse come out, filling roadside fields and woodlands with vibrant colours, bringing pure joy with just a glance. The natural world starts waking up from its winter hibernation and there is so much to enjoy. Cornwall is home to many impressive National Trust houses and gardens which are lovely to explore.
In September and October, as the summer starts turning into autumn, we can still enjoy warm days and evenings. Even with a chill in the air, we have stunning sunsets and fantastic coastal spots from which to enjoy them. Whether you’re parked on the clifftops with a flask or relaxing with a drink at a beachside café, you’ll be blown away by the Cornish autumn sunsets.
10. You will have a much more relaxing holiday
Bringing all these points together, it’s clear that visiting Cornwall out of season can create a much more relaxing holiday. Whilst the hustle and bustle of summer does create a wonderful atmosphere in its own way, the out of season slower pace allows you to really take each day as it comes and explore all that Cornwall has to offer in your own time, without feeling rushed or frantic. In the off-season, life slows down and is truly calm; it’s a different environment within which to enjoy the county.
Cornwall is a wonderful county to explore; rich in nature, scenery and things to see and do. With so much on offer, you’re bound to create amazing memories no matter what time of year you visit. Whether you’re visiting solo, as a romantic couple’s getaway or with your whole family, Cornwall is a fantastic holiday destination. It’s hard to beat a summer holiday, I know, but I hope this list has widened your horizons to what the county has to offer if you are able to visit Cornwall out of season. As a local, it’s what I would recommend!
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